Her furious mum Carol said: "My daughter prefers wearing socks, and just doesn't like wearing tights. She does not dress inappropriately. She's perfectly presentable, and there shouldn't be a problem as the skirt isn't short."

The Fawcett Society, a national charity which aims to advance women's rights and equality, slammed the letter.

Its chief executive, Sam Smethers, said: "Girls and young women are being asked to change their behaviour and modify the way they dress and here is yet another example. That's just not acceptable in 2015.

"Modesty and safeguarding dont come into it. What they should be focusing on is opening up a world of opportunity to their young women, not controlling what they wear."

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UNSAFE?: School said girls needed to "protect their modesty"

In the letter, which was approved by governors, it even set out the thickness of the tights - they should be no less than 40 denier.

Ms Gibson, who is the school’s acting headteacher, said: "The letter also made it clear that both parents and children will be given an opportunity in due course to take part in a full review of the school's uniform policy.

"The outcome of this consultation will help shape the policy in the longer-term."